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Dakota (Sioux) Tobacco bag. Bogert. Coll. (Haupt del)

length 8 inches Width 8 " Strap, length 54 "

         width.    1/8  "

One form of the Tobacco bag made by the Dakota squaw is square and a very good specimen is this from the Bogert collection and formerly owned by "Dog Home from the War," a Dakota from Lower Brule Agency. This bag consists of a piece of buckskin doubled up and seamed at the edges. and ornamented by a fringe of buckskin one and one eight inches long. The bag is open along the outer top and finished by a string of light blue beads secured in loops. About the edges of the bag is a band of bead work three eights of an inch wide. the top and bottom stripes are of green beads with dark blue points. the sides of yellow beads with blue points. At the tip and bottom are small tassles of tin cone and red horse hair. Upon the face of the bag is visibly ornamented with porcupine quills dyed a variety of colors. In two opposite corners is a figure representing the head of a buffalo. the head and ears are [?] in purple quills the horns in red and white alternately. In the other corners are now [?] figures which are the likeness of nothing we are acquainted with in the indian country. In the center is a band of green quills, on either side and of white and an outer one of red, beneath this is a transverse bar. the centre red, and the points green. The reverse side of the bag is ornamented with their nondescript figures without the heads and have in addition a square patch of white and purple quills in the centre. The bag is hung round the neck and down at the side by means of a narrow strap wound with red. green, carmine. yellow and purple quills. The ends of which strap terminate in two tails finished with tin cones. this bag was worn by "Dog Home from the War" in the Ghost Dance held by the Dakotas. and for reason of display rather than utility was made broad. Vigorous and [?] dancing such as the Ojibway and Dakotas some time engage in would spill all the tobacco from the gaping mouth However this indian has ceased to dance hence the reason of Mr. Bigerts having the Tobacco bag.